This part gripes me when they travel to “less fortunate” or “poor” countries where eating out is $0.50-2.00 but the same or similar thing is $30-500 in the US, however: people earn different levels of income. Like in that “third world” country, people may only live with $10 a day while Americans live with either $7.25 / $15 per hour in minimum wage, so it’s not comparable as to why the prices are seen as “cheap” by Americans.
Now, put it this way: if an average joe were to earn the FEDERAL mandated minimum wage of $7.25, is buying a whole weeks worth of groceries affordable with that alone (excluding rent, utilities, insurance, etc)? Do you consider a $200 semi-fancy dinner at a restaurant (not over the top luxurious, but formal & fine dining) with family or friends “cheap” in the US whilst earning $15 (or even $30) per hour in minimum wage?
25% taxes seems high. Everything I can find online suggests that it would be about half that for someone earning $15/hour.
Social security is regressive so the floor is around 8% before FWT but you are probably right, I am coming up with 16%. Still - I don’t think it’s enough after fixed costs to go out to eat, unless you can get 4 wage earners in your household (which is not impossible, I did, and some of my kids did as well)